Retaining stent

ABSTRACT

A medical device for use within a body of a patient includes at least two retention members located at a first end of an elongated section of the medical device. The retention members are adapted to limit longitudinal movement of the elongated section when the medical device is placed within the body of a patient. The elongated section can define a passage and at least one opening in communication with the passage to facilitate passing fluid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/400,201, entitled “Retaining Stent,” filed Mar. 25, 2003, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,182,745 which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

The invention generally relates to medical devices, such as ureteralstents, and related methods.

Fluid sometimes needs to be drained from a body or needs to be passedfrom one location in the body to another location. For example, urinelocated in a ureter must be passed from the ureter through theintramural tunnel into the bladder. The passage of urine through theintramural tunnel is sometimes hindered by obstructions in theintramural tunnel or as a result of a constriction within the intramuraltunnel. One way to facilitate the passage of urine through theintramural tunnel is to use a medical device that conveys the urinethrough a lumen of the medical device. Such medical devices includestents and catheters. Some ureteral stents have coiled members locatedat the distal and proximal ends of the sent that are intended to limitmovement of the sent after placement within the body. Existing stentscan, when placed within the body of a patient, cause discomfort to thepatient or be ineffective in limiting movement of the sent within a bodylumen of the patient, especially when the coiled members are located atopposite ends of the sent.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a medical device for passing fluid fromone location in a body to another location, while also limiting movementof the medical device while located within the body. The medical devicecan be a ureteral sent.

In general, in one aspect, the invention involves a medical device foruse within a body of a patient. The device includes an elongated sectionthat has a first end and a second end. A first retention member isdisposed in proximity to the first end, and a second retention memberalso is disposed in proximity to the first end. The first and secondretention members are spaced apart from each other, and the elongatedsection extends longitudinally away from the second retention member tothe second end. The first and second retention members limitlongitudinal movement of the elongated section when the medical deviceis placed within the body of the patient.

Embodiments of this aspect of the invention can include the followingfeatures. The elongated section of the device can define a passageextending from the first end to the second end, and the elongatedsection can define at least one opening in communication with thepassage. A first portion of the elongated section that includes thefirst end can include a first material that has a first durometer value.A second portion of the elongated section that includes the second endcan include a second material that has a second durometer value. Thefirst durometer value can be greater than or equal to the seconddurometer value or, alternatively, the second durometer value can begreater than the first durometer value. The first and second retentionmembers can be an elastic material. An outer diameter of the first endof the elongated section can be larger than an outer diameter of thesecond end of the elongated section. Alternatively, an outer diameter ofthe second end can be larger than an outer diameter of the first end.The first and second retention members can be disposed around an outerdiameter of the elongated section. At least one of the first and secondretention members can have a toroidal, spherical, elliptical,cylindrical or diamond shape. The medical device can be placed withinthe body by being released from an elongate member (such as a catheter)and into the body.

In general, in another aspect, the invention relates to a method ofmanufacturing a medical device for use within a body of a patient. Themethod involves providing an elongated section that has a first end anda second end. The method also involves providing a first retentionmember and a second retention member. The method further involvesdisposing the first retention member on the elongated section inproximity to the first end and disposing the second retention member onthe elongated section also in proximity to the first end such that thefirst and second retention members are spaced apart from each other andthe elongated section extends longitudinally away from the secondretention member to the second end. The first and second retentionmembers are adapted to limit longitudinal movement of the elongatedsection when the medical device is placed within the body of thepatient.

In this method of manufacturing the medical device, the elongatedsection can define a passage extending from the first end to the secondend, and the elongated section can also define at least one opening incommunication with the passage.

In general, in yet another aspect, the invention relates to a method ofmanufacturing a medical device for use within a body of a patient. Thismethod involves providing a mold that has an inner surface that definesan elongated section that has a first end and a second end. The innersurface of the mold also defines a first retention member disposed inproximity to the first end, and a second retention member also disposedin proximity to the first end. The first and second retention membersare spaced apart from each other, and the elongated section extendslongitudinally away from the second retention member to the second end.The method also involves injecting a fluid plastic into the mold to formthe medical device, and removing the medical device from the mold. Thefirst and second retention members are adapted to limit longitudinalmovement of the elongated section when the medical device is placedwithin the body of the patient.

This method of manufacturing the medical device can further includecooling the fluid plastic after it is injected into the mold to solidifythe fluid plastic and form the medical device.

In general, in still another aspect, the invention relates to a methodof placing a medical device within a body of a patient. The methodinvolves providing a medical device that has an elongated section thathas a first end and a second end. The elongated section has a firstretention member disposed in proximity to the first end and a secondretention member also disposed in proximity to the first end. The firstand second retention members are spaced apart from each other and theelongated section extends longitudinally away from the second retentionmember to the second end. The method also involves providing an elongatemember (such as a catheter) and loading the medical device within thatmember. The elongate member is then placed within the body of thepatient, and the medical device is released from the elongate member toplace the medical device within the body. The first and second retentionmembers are adapted to limit longitudinal movement of the elongatedsection when the medical device is placed within the body of thepatient.

This method of placing the medical device can further includepositioning the first retention member adjacent to a first opening in abody lumen of the patient and positioning the second retention memberadjacent to a second opening in the body lumen of the patient.

In general, in another aspect, the invention relates to another methodof placing a medical device within a body of a patient. The methodinvolves providing a medical device that has an elongated section thathas a first end and a second end. A first retention member is disposedin proximity to the first end and a second retention member also isdisposed in proximity to the first end. The first and second retentionmembers are spaced apart from each other and the elongated sectionextends longitudinally away from the second retention member to thesecond end. The method also involves positioning the medical devicewithin the body to locate the first retention member adjacent to a firstsurface of a tissue in the body and the second retention member adjacentto a second surface of the tissue in the body. The first and secondretention members are adapted to limit longitudinal movement of theelongated section when the medical device is placed within the body ofthe patient. In this method of placing the medical device, the firstsurface of the tissue can oppose the second surface of the tissue.

The foregoing and other objects, aspects, features, and advantages ofthe invention will become more apparent from the following descriptionand from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer tocorresponding parts throughout the different views. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed onillustrating the principles and concepts of the invention.

FIG. 1A is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a sent according tothe invention.

FIG. 1B is a schematic end-on view of the sent of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of a sent according to theinvention located within a body lumen of a patient.

FIG. 3A is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a sent according tothe invention.

FIG. 3B is a schematic end-on view of the sent of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a sent according tothe invention.

FIG. 4B is a schematic end-on view of the sent of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a sent according tothe invention.

FIG. 5B is a schematic end-on view of the sent of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a sent according tothe invention.

FIG. 6B is a schematic end-on view of the sent of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is an illustration of an embodiment of a sent according to theinvention located within a lumen of an elongate member, such as adelivery catheter.

FIG. 7B is an illustration of an embodiment of the sent of FIG. 7A witha retention member being released from an opening in the elongatemember.

FIG. 7C is an illustration of the sent of FIGS. 7A and 7B with tworetention members being released from the opening in the elongatemember.

FIG. 8A is a section view of a ureter and bladder of a human bodyillustrating an embodiment of a sent and elongate member of theinvention prior to insertion of the sent and elongate member into theintramural tunnel.

FIG. 8B is a section view of a ureter and bladder of a human body withthe sent and elongate member of FIG. 8A located within the intramuraltunnel.

FIG. 8C is a section view of a ureter and bladder of a human body withone retention member of the sent of FIGS. 8A and 8B being released fromthe elongate member.

FIG. 8D is a section view of a ureter and bladder of a human body withthe sent of FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C located within the intramural tunnel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, one embodiment of a medical device 100according to the invention includes two retention members 110 a and 110b (generally 110) that are disposed on an elongated section 120 of themedical device 100. The retention members 110 a and 110 b are spacedapart from each other by a first region 138 of the elongated section120. In this embodiment, the retention members 110 a and 110 b aretoroidal in shape when viewed from the end-on view of FIG. 1B. Theretention members 110 a and 110 b are located in proximity to a firstend 132 of the elongated section 120 such that the elongated section 120extends longitudinally away from the second retention member 110 btowards a second end 130 of the elongated section 120. The elongatedsection 120 has a plurality of openings 140 that allow for fluidcommunication (and thus fluid to flow) between an outer surface 136 ofthe elongated section 120 and a lumen 150 defined by the elongatedsection 120. The lumen 150 is a passage that extends at least partiallyalong the length of the elongated section 120 to facilitate the passageof fluid along at least part of the length of the elongated section 120.The elongated section 120 has an opening 160 located within a first endface 142 of the elongated section 120. The opening 160 is located at thefirst end 132 of the elongated section 120 and allows fluid to flow outof or into the lumen 150 of the elongated section 120. The elongatedsection 120 has an additional opening 162 located within a second endface 144 of the elongated section 120. The opening 162 is located at thesecond end 130 of the elongated section 120 and also allows fluid toflow out of or into the lumen 150 of the elongated section 120.

By way of example, the medical device 100 might be manufactured using abiocompatible material (e.g., thermoplastic resin or polyethylene). Themedical device 100 could be manufactured as a unitary body using, forexample, an injection molding process in which a fluid plastic (e.g.,thermoplastic resin) is injected into a mold. The inside volume of themold would define an inner surface, and that surface would definelocations for and the shape of each of the parts (e.g., the elongatedsection 120 and the retention members 110 a and 110 b) of a medicaldevice, such as the medical device 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. The fluidplastic would then be permitted to cool sufficiently to yield themedical device 100. The medical device 100 would then be removed fromthe mold.

Alternatively, the medical device 100 might be manufactured by fusingtwo flexible plastic retention members 110 a and 110 b to a plasticelongated section 120 (e.g., by the use of heat) thereby yielding amedical device, such as the medical device 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. Theretention members 110 a and 110 b also could be affixed or joined to theelongated section 120 by other means such as by glue. The retentionmembers 110 a and 110 b can be made of a compressible elasticbiocompatible material, for example, such as polyethylene, thermoplasticresin, or silicone. The retention members also can be made of acombination of some or all of these, and/or other, materials.

The entire medical device 100, or parts of it might be formed orfabricated using a flexible elastic material, for example, polyethylene.Alternatively, a first portion 182 of the elongated section 120 thatincludes the first end 132 might be composed of a first material thathas a first durometer value. A second portion 180 of the elongatedsection 120 that includes the second end 130 might be composed of asecond material that has a second durometer value. The first durometervalue can be greater than or equal to the second durometer value or,alternatively, the second durometer value can be greater than the firstdurometer value.

As shown in FIG. 2, one embodiment of the medical device 100 accordingto the invention is located within a lumen 220 of a vessel 224 in thebody of a patient. A proximal end 240 of the vessel 224 terminates at anopening 222 in a tissue wall 210. The lumen 220 defined by the vessel224 extends away from the opening 222. Fluid typically passes throughthe lumen 220 and out of the opening 222 emptying into a region 230adjacent the opening 222. In this embodiment, the first retention member110 a is located in the region 230 and the first retention member 110 aabuts also a first surface 250 of the tissue wall 210. The secondretention member 110 b is located within the lumen 220 and abuts asecond surface 252 of the tissue wall 210. The retention members 110 aand 110 b are capable of limiting movement of the elongated section 120because an outer diameter 260 a and 260 b of the retention members 110 aand 110 b, respectively, are larger than an inner diameter 226 of theopening 222 in the tissue wall 210. The first region 138 of theelongated section 120 passes through the opening 222 of the tissue wall210. In this embodiment, fluid in contact with the outer surface 136 ofthe elongated section 120 may pass through the plurality of openings 140of the elongated section 120 into the lumen 150 of the elongated section120. The fluid, subsequently, may pass along the length of the lumen 150and out of the opening 160 in the elongated section 120.

In another embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and3B, the medical device 100 has a flared section 310 that is locatedadjacent to the first end 132 of the elongated section 120. The flaredsection 310 has an opening 160 that permits fluid to flow into or out ofthe lumen 150 defined by the elongated section 120. The presence of theflared section 310 can facilitate the flow of fluid into the lumen 150because the flared section 310 has a larger cross-sectional area thandoes the lumen 150. The lumen 150 permits fluid to flow substantiallyalong the length of and within the elongated section 120. The pluralityof openings 140 in the elongated section 120 permit fluid to flowbetween the outside surface 136 of the elongated section 120 and thelumen 150 of the elongated section 120.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS.4A and 4B, the retention members 110 a and 110 b are disposed on oralong (by, for example, coupling each of them to) the elongated section120 of the medical device 100 in proximity to the first end 132 of theelongated section 120. In this embodiment, the retention members 110 aand 110 b are diamond-shaped when viewed from the side as shown in FIG.4A. The shape of each retention member 110 a and 110 b could,alternatively, be any geometric shape (e.g., spherical, elliptical, orcylindrical) that is compatible with the placement of the medical device100 within, for example, the opening in a body lumen of a patient.

In another embodiment of one aspect of the invention, as illustrated inFIGS. 5A and 5B, eight spherical retention members 110 a through 110 hare attached to the elongated section 120. Referring now to FIG. 5A, theretention member 110 h is located on the opposite side of the elongatedsection 120 relative to the retention member 110 f and is not shown forclarity of illustration purposes. The retention members 110 a through110 h are coupled to the first end 132 of the elongated section 120. Theretention members 110 a, 110 c, 110 e and 110 g are located 90 degreesapart from each other and along an outside diameter of the elongatedsection 120, referring now to FIG. 5B. The retention members 110 b, 110d, 110 f and 110 h are spaced apart, by the first region 138, from theretention members 110 a, 110 c, 110 e and 110 g, respectively.

In another embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and6B, the elongated section 120 has a tapered region 610. The elongatedsection 120 has a diameter 620 at the second end 130 of the elongatedsection 120 and a diameter 630 at the first end 132 of the elongatedsection. In this embodiment, the diameter 620 is larger than thediameter 630. This embodiment of the invention might be used, forexample, in an endopyelotomy procedure in which the medical device 100is inserted into the body of a patient such that the second end 130 ofthe elongated section 120 is located in a ureter of the patient.Alternatively, in another embodiment, the diameter 620 may be smallerthan the diameter 630.

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate steps of an embodiment of the invention,in which the medical device 100 is released from (by, for example,extending it out of) a lumen 710 defined by an elongate member 700. Tworetention members 110 a and 110 b are located proximal to the first end132 of the elongated section 120 of the medical device 100. An operatorinitially compresses the retention members 110 a and 110 b so theretention members 110 a and 110 b fit within the lumen 710, referringnow to FIG. 7A. An inner wall 720 of the elongate member 120 applies acompression force to the retention members 110 a and 110 b along theY-axis when the medical device 100 is located within the lumen 710 ofthe elongate member 700. A delivery member 730 is coupled to the endface 142 of the elongated section 120. The delivery member 730 iscapable of extending and/or retracting the medical device 100 along theX-axis of the lumen 710 of the elongate member 700. Alternatively, theelongate member 700 can be retracted and/or extended along the X-axisrelative to the medical device 100 to achieve a similar result.

The delivery member 730 of the invention can be extended in the positivedirection along the X-axis such that the retention member 110 b emergesfrom an opening 740 at a distal end 705 of the elongate member 700,referring now to FIG. 7B. As the retention member 110 b emerges from theopening 740 the diameter 260 b of the retention member 110 b increasesbecause the inner wall 720 of the elongate member 700 no longer appliesa compression force to the retention member 110 b.

Referring now to FIG. 7C, the delivery member 730 is further extended inthe positive direction along the X-axis causing the retention member 110a to emerge from the opening 740 of the elongate member 700. Thediameter 260 a of the retention member 110 a increases as the retentionmember 110 a emerges from the opening 740 of the elongate member 700because the inner wall 720 of the elongate member 700 no longer appliesa compression force to the retention member 110 a.

By way of example, in one embodiment the elongate member 700 is adelivery catheter, for example, a C-Flex® brand catheter manufactured byBoston Scientific Corporation, with offices in Natick, Mass. A medicaldevice, such as the medical device 100 of FIGS.1A and 1B, can be loadedinto a lumen of the catheter and subsequently released from (by, forexample, extending it out of) the catheter and placed within a bodylumen of a patient. An operator would position the retention members 110a and 110 b such that the retention members 110 a and 110 b are locatedadjacent to first and second openings, respectively, in the body lumenof the patient. The retention members 110 a and 110 b would, thus, bepositioned to limit longitudinal movement of the elongated section 120of the medical device 100. Alternatively, the elongate member 700 mightbe a flexible tube manufactured using a biocompatible material, e.g.,polyethylene. In general, the elongate member 700 is sufficiently rigid,however, to be capable of applying a compression force to the retentionmembers 110 a and 110 b when the retention members 110 a and 110 b aresituated within the lumen 710 of the elongate member 700.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D illustrate steps of an embodiment of theinvention, in which the medical device 100 is inserted into anintramural tunnel 812 of a patient, for example, for purposes offacilitating the passage of urine from a kidney 804 through a ureter 808and, subsequently through the intramural tunnel 812 emptying into abladder 800. In this embodiment of the invention, the medical device 100is shown initially as being located within the lumen 710 defined by theelongate member 700, referring now to FIG. 8A, that has been previouslyintroduced into the bladder 800 by an operator. The delivery member 730is coupled to the first end 132 of the elongated section 120.

Referring now to FIG. 8B, the distal end 705 of the elongate member 700is inserted into the intramural tunnel 812 through a ureteral orifice814. The elongate member 700 and medical device 100 located within theelongate member 700 are then advanced through the intramural tunnel 812towards an opening 816 that is adjacent to the ureter 808. The elongatemember 700 and the medical device 100 are advanced until the opening 740in the distal end 705 of the elongate member 700 has passed beyond theopening 816 in the intramural tunnel 812. The ureter 808 originates atthe opening 816 in the intramural tunnel 812 and extends from theopening 816 towards the kidney 804.

The delivery member 730 is then advanced, thereby advancing the medicaldevice 100 along the lumen 710 defined by the elongate member 700,referring now to FIG. 8C. The medical device 100 is advanced until theretention member 110 b exits the opening 740 of the distal end 705 ofthe elongate member 700. The diameter 260 b of the retention member 110b increases as it exits the opening 740 as described previously herein.The second end 130 of the medical device 100 is now located partiallywithin the ureter 808 and partially within the kidney 804.

Referring now to FIG. 8D, the elongate member 700 is then retractedproximally with respect to the first end 132 of the elongated section120 such that the retention member 110 a emerges from the opening 740 inthe elongate member 700. The retention member 110 a also expands indiameter upon emerging from the opening 740 of the elongate member 700as previously described herein. Upon emerging from the opening 740, theretention member 110 a abuts a first surface 820 of a bladder wall 810.The retention member 110 b abuts a second surface 818 of the bladderwall 810. The retention members 110 a and 110 b have therefore, in thisconfiguration, been adapted to limit longitudinal movement of theelongated section 120 when the medical device 100 is placed within thebody of the patient.

In general, alternate steps can be used for introducing an embodiment ofthe medical device 100 of the invention into a body lumen of a patient.For example, a guidewire can first be inserted into the body lumen ofthe patient. An operator can then place the lumen 150 of the elongatedsection 120 of the medical device 100 over a free end of the guidewireand subsequently advance the medical device 100 through the body of apatient using an delivery member, such as the delivery member 730 ofFIG. 7A. The operator would then utilize the delivery member 730 toposition the medical device 100 in a body lumen of the patient such thatthe retention members 110 a and 110 b would be positioned to limitmovement of the elongated section 120 of the medical device 100.

Alternative embodiments of the invention are contemplated for passingbile from the gall bladder through the bile duct and subsequentlythrough the duodenum and into the small intestine. The retentionmembers, such as the retention members 110 a and 110 b of FIGS. 1A and1B, would be located on opposing sides of the duodenum with the papillaof the duodenum located between, for example, the two retention members110 a and 110 b.

Variations, modifications, and other implementations of what isdescribed herein will occur to those of ordinary skill without departingfrom the spirit and the scope of the invention. Accordingly, theinvention is not to be defined only by the preceding illustrativedescription.

1. A method, comprising: forming an elongated section having a first end portion and a second end portion and defining a lumen through at least a portion of the first end portion; coupling a first surface of a first retention member to an outer surface of the first end portion of the elongated section; and coupling a second retention member to the outer surface of the first end portion of the elongated section, the first retention member having a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration, the first retention member being biased in its expanded configuration, a second surface of the first retention member being a first distance from the first surface of the first retention member when the first retention member is in the compressed configuration, the second surface of the first retention member being a second distance greater than the first distance from the first surface of the first retention member when the first retention member is in the expanded configuration, the second surface of the first retention member being opposite the first surface of the first retention member when the first retention member is in the compressed configuration and when the first retention member is in the expanded configuration, the first retention member having a substantially uniform composition along an axis extending radially from the elongate section and intersecting the first surface of the first retention member and the second surface of the first retention member.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming the elongated section includes forming the first end portion from a first material and forming the second end portion from a second material different than the first material.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming the elongated section includes forming the first end portion from a first material, forming the second end portion from a second material different than the first material and coupling the first end portion to the second end portion.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming the elongated section includes forming the first end portion such the first end portion has a diameter and forming the second end portion such the second end portion has a diameter different than the diameter of the first end portion.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming the elongated section includes forming a flared portion disposed adjacent the first end portion, the flared portion defining a lumen therethrough, the lumen of the flared portion being in fluid communication with the lumen of the first end portion, the lumen of the flared portion having a size greater than a size of the lumen of the first end portion.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the coupling the second retention member includes coupling the second retention member such that the second retention member is spaced apart from the first retention member.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein: the coupling the first retention member includes coupling the first retention member at a first position on the outer surface of the first end portion; and the coupling the second retention member includes coupling the second retention member at a second position on the outer surface of the first end portion, the second position being spaced longitudinally apart from the first position.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein: the coupling the first retention member includes coupling the first retention member at a first position on the outer surface of the first end portion; and the coupling the second retention member includes coupling the second retention member at a second position on the outer surface of the first end portion, the second position being spaced circumferentially apart from the first position.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein: the coupling the first retention member includes coupling the first retention member such that the first retention member does not extend longitudinally past an end of the first end portion of the elongated section.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the coupling the first retention member includes heat bonding the first retention member to the outer surface of the first end portion of the elongated section.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: disposing at least the first retention member within an elongated member such that the first retention member is maintained in the compressed configuration.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the coupling the first retention member includes coupling the first retention member at a first position on the outer surface of the first end portion, the coupling the second retention member includes coupling the second retention member at a second position on the outer surface of the first end portion, the second position being spaced circumferentially apart from the first position, the method further comprising: coupling a third retention member to the outer surface of the first end portion of the elongated section at a third position, the third position being spaced circumferentially apart from the first position and the second position.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein: the second position is spaced circumferentially apart from the first position by approximately ninety degrees; and the third position is spaced circumferentially apart from the second position by approximately ninety degrees.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: coupling a fourth retention member to the outer surface of the first end portion of the elongated section at a fourth position, the fourth position being spaced circumferentially apart from the first position, the second position and the third position.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the coupling a first surface of a first retention member includes coupling the first surface of the first retention member to a portion of the outer surface of the elongated section that is devoid of a lumen extending from an interior of the elongated section to the outer surface.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the coupling a first surface of a first retention member includes coupling the first surface of the first retention member to the outer surface of the elongated section such that an interior of the first retention member is fluidically isolated from an interior of the elongated section.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the first retention member has a substantially uniform composition between the first surface of the first retention member and the second surface of the retention member.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming includes forming an elongated section that defines a single lumen, an interior of the first retention member being fluidically isolated from the lumen defined by the elongated section.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the coupling a second surface of the first retention member to an outer surface of the first end portion of the elongated section includes coupling the second surface of the retention member to the outer surface of the end portion of the elongated section such that the outer surface of a portion of the elongated section extending from the first retention member to the second retention member is devoid of openings.
 20. A method, comprising: forming an elongated section having a first end portion and a second end portion and defining a lumen through at least a portion of the first end portion; coupling a first retention member to an outer surface of the first end portion of the elongated section, the first retention member having a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration, the first retention member biased in the expanded configuration; coupling a second retention member to the outer surface of the first end portion of the elongated section; and disposing at least the first retention member within an elongated member such that the first retention member is maintained in the compressed configuration within the elongated member.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first retention member is formed from a compressible elastic material is selected from a group consisting of polyethylene, thermoplastic resin and silicone.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the first retention member is formed from a substantially homogeneous compressible elastic material.
 23. The method of claim 20, wherein the forming the elongated section includes forming the first end portion from a first material and forming the second end portion from a second material different than the first material.
 24. The method of claim 20, wherein the forming the elongated section includes forming the first end portion such that the first end portion has a diameter and forming the second end portion such the second end portion has a diameter different than the diameter of the first end portion.
 25. The method of claim 20, wherein the coupling the second retention member includes coupling the second retention member such that the second retention member is spaced apart from the first retention member.
 26. The method of claim 20, wherein: the coupling the first retention member includes coupling the first retention member at a first position on the outer surface of the first end portion; and the coupling the second retention member includes coupling the second retention member at a second position on the outer surface of the first end portion, the second position being spaced longitudinally apart from the first position.
 27. The method of claim 20, wherein: the coupling the first retention member includes coupling the first retention member at a first position on the outer surface of the first end portion; and the coupling the second retention member includes coupling the second retention member at a second position on the outer surface of the first end portion, the second position being spaced circumferentially apart from the first position.
 28. The method of claim 20, wherein the coupling the first retention member includes coupling the first retention member at a first position on the outer surface of the first end portion, the coupling the second retention member includes coupling the second retention member at a second position on the outer surface of the first end portion, the second position being spaced circumferentially apart from the first position, the method further comprising: coupling a third retention member to the outer surface of the first end portion of the elongated section at a third position, the third position being spaced circumferentially apart from the first position and the second position.
 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising: coupling a fourth retention member to the outer surface of the first end portion of the elongated section at a fourth position, the fourth position being spaced circumferentially apart from the first position, the second position and the third position.
 30. The method of claim 20, wherein the coupling a first retention member to an outer surface includes coupling the first surface of the first retention member to a portion of the outer surface of the elongated section that is devoid of a lumen extending from an interior of the elongated section to the outer surface.
 31. The method of claim 20, wherein the coupling a first retention member to an outer surface includes coupling the first surface of the first retention member to the outer surface of the elongated section such that an interior of the first retention member is fluidically isolated from an interior of the elongated section.
 32. The method of claim 20, wherein the forming includes forming an elongated section that defines a single lumen, an interior of the first retention member being fluidically isolated from the lumen defined by the elongated section.
 33. The method of claim 20, wherein the coupling a second surface of the first retention member to an outer surface of the first end portion of the elongated section includes coupling the second surface of the retention member to the outer surface of the end portion of the elongated section such that the outer surface of a portion of the elongated section extending from the first retention member to the second retention member is devoid of openings. 